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Resigning From Your Sales Job

Resigning from your job is never easy. Whether you love your job or despise it, you should always leave on a high note and resign tactfully. Sometimes this is hard to do, but if you keep it simple and professional, you shouldn’t have any issues or “burn bridges”.

In addition to resigning with your boss in person; you should follow up the conversation in writing. A termination letter should be a one page, to the point document that informs your employer of your decision to terminate employment. The letter should be made out to your direct supervisor and give a termination date (usually two weeks from the date of the letter). You should also briefly thank your employer for your experiences and your current manager for the leadership provided. Regardless of how you really feel, this letter will be included in your file and it should be a positive one. In fact, leaving tactfully can be a major benefit to you. A more detailed blog on The Classy Resignation goes into more detail on the subject.

Keeping a resignation simple and professional can lead to references from that employer, future business opportunities, and eligibility for rehire. All of these things are important to consider when terminating your employment as you never know what the future holds for your new career. You should also consider that you will still need your employer to cooperate with you for at least two weeks once you inform them of your resignation.

After you submit your two week notice (the standard timeline for termination) you should immediately gather all pertinent separation information. Make sure you understand the benefits that are offered upon termination such as COBRA, 401K Roll-Over, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan or Grants Policies. Check with payroll to see how much vacation or sick pay you have accrued and make sure that this will be paid out upon termination. Also make sure you understand what items need to be returned to your employer and if applicable, the guidelines of your non-compete. Finally, print off or get all W-2 information and sales documentation (awards, rankings, percent to quota, letters of recommendation, etc.) from your employer to include in your brag book as you’ll never get another chance to gather this information.

In conclusion, resigning from a position can be a scary, yet exciting time. However, if you keep it simple and professional, parting ways with your current employer can be a straight forward and a positive experience.

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Chris Carlson

My name is Chris Carlson and I’m the founder and President of Sales Talent. This blog grew out of my desire to document and share what I’ve learned in my two plus decades of sales recruiting and leading Sales Talent. Our posts are aimed at sales professionals and leaders that speaks to talent selection, team building, or career advancement. If you have a topic that you’d like my take on, please reach out to me.

You can find Chris Carlson on LinkedIn or contact him directly at:
chris@salestalentinc.com.